tenuous correlation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tenuous correlation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a weak or insubstantial relationship between two variables or phenomena. Example: "The study found a tenuous correlation between the amount of sleep and academic performance, suggesting that other factors may play a more significant role."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It's a tenuous correlation, as most addicts like Amber never would have met the diagnostic criteria for ADHD in the first place.

Huffington Post

And the recent heavy spike in Big Apple shootings this summer further illustrates the tenuous correlation between stop-and-frisks and the number of shootings as well as the number of guns taken off the streets.

Huffington Post

Elevated serum biomarkers may have a tenuous correlation with allergen-driven responses, making their use difficult [29].

Plosone

Significant but tenuous correlation between time spent in sitting and rate pressure product implies that higher sitting time as measured on the Hausa IPAQ-SF is related to poor cardiorespiratory fitness (higher RPP indicates lower cardiorespiratory fitness).

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

However, the ability to correlate changes in RNA stability with changes in protein output is tenuous given the poor correlation between the transcriptomic profiles and proteomic profiles.

BMC Biology

Culture of this organism is slow [ 9], and the correlation between culture and infection is tenuous because of the asymptomatic infection caused by M. pneumoniae[ 10, 11].

BMC Infectious Diseases

International comparisons also suggest that the correlation between imprisonment and rates of crime is tenuous.

The Economist

However, this correlation between sock spacing and sock weight was tenuous over the three-year study period, showing up only in 2002.

Aquaculture

Met expression does appear to increase during prostate disease progression, but the correlation of Met expression with Gleason grade has been tenuous.

BMC Cancer

The reviewers were also concerned about the illusory contour figure: At present, the connections between higher-order correlations and previously hypothesized roles for V2 seem tenuous and insufficiently detailed to warrant a full figure in the main text.

eLife

For another amino acid, glycine, one of the optimal codons ends with T and the correlation between optimal codon frequency and expression is positive, though tenuous (Spearman ρ = 0.07 and P < 10−).

Genome Biology and Evolution

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific writing, quantifying the strength of the "tenuous correlation" (e.g., using correlation coefficients) can add precision and credibility to your analysis.

Common error

A common mistake is to infer a causal relationship when only a "tenuous correlation" exists. Remember that correlation does not equal causation. Always investigate other factors that might explain the observed relationship before drawing conclusions about cause and effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tenuous correlation" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "tenuous" modifies the noun "correlation". It describes the nature of the relationship between two variables, indicating that it is weak, uncertain, or poorly supported. Ludwig confirms this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tenuous correlation" is a useful tool for expressing doubt or uncertainty about the strength of a relationship between two variables. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and applicable in various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. When using this phrase, it's crucial to clarify what specific elements are being correlated and why the relationship is weak. Remember that a "tenuous correlation" does not imply causation, and other factors should always be considered. Alternatives such as "weak association" or "slight connection" can also be used to convey a similar meaning, with subtle differences in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tenuous relationship

Replaces correlation with relationship. Similar semantic meaning.

weak association

Replaces "correlation" with "association" and "tenuous" with "weak", both indicating a lack of strong connection.

slight connection

Uses more general terms to convey a minimal relationship between elements.

fragile link

Implies a delicate and easily broken relationship between two things.

uncertain relationship

Focuses on the ambiguity and lack of clarity in the connection.

loose tie-in

Suggests a casual or non-essential link between two items.

insubstantial relation

Emphasizes the lack of significant substance or strength in the connection.

dubious interdependence

Highlights the questionable reliance or dependence between two factors.

flimsy correspondence

Implies a weak and unreliable parallel or similarity.

marginal dependency

Highlights the low degree of dependency.

FAQs

How can I use "tenuous correlation" in a sentence?

You can use "tenuous correlation" to describe a weak or unsubstantial relationship between two variables. For example: "The study found a "tenuous correlation" between the amount of sleep and academic performance, suggesting that other factors may play a more significant role."

What are some alternatives to "tenuous correlation"?

Alternatives include "weak association", "slight connection", or "fragile link" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does "tenuous correlation" imply?

"Tenuous correlation" implies that while there might be some relationship between two things, it's not strong, reliable, or necessarily meaningful. Other factors are likely more influential.

Is it correct to say "tenuous correlation"?

Yes, it is correct. Ludwig AI confirms that "tenuous correlation" is a valid and usable phrase in English to describe a weak or insubstantial relationship.